! KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS RAUL G. NAVARRETE - COUNCIL #9482 3450 WEST RAY ROAD CHANDLER AZ 85226 Holy Wisdom 32nd Sunday In Ordinary Time 2017 Refection By: Deacon Paul V. Hursh From Wisdom personified to wisdom in practice, our readings this week cover the full gambit. It is also important to note that in these readings and in the Bible as a whole, Holy Wisdom is personified as a woman. In the brief excerpt from the book of Wisdom this Sunday, wisdom is referred to 8 times in the feminine gender. This is particularly significant in that the Bible, both the Jewish scriptures and the Christian scriptures, came from patriarchal societies. What a wonderful concept, Wisdom personified as a woman who is wise. Sophia, who brings, a graceful touch, a healing presence, to her every encounter, for whom beauty is a mode of knowing and openness, a special strength – who tells us, "all will be well, all will be well, all matter of things will be well." ! Page !1 of !2 ! We are encouraged to seek the holy woman, Wisdom with the promise that "she is readily perceived by those who love her." Furthermore, we are told that to whoever watches for her at the dawn – will not be disappointed, she will make herself known. When we find ourselves perplexed by problems and the decisions we face in our lives, we can go out and find her waiting at our gate. Even when we are not actively seeking her, she seeks those worthy of her and she will appear to us on the way. As one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, wisdom is given to the Christian in order to sustain us and to make us docile and more open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As an attribute of God, wisdom is one attribute that shows the image of God in the feminine. By calling God "Father," we acknowledge that God is the source of everything and transcends all things by his authority. We also acknowledge God as goodness and loving kindness that cares for us, God's children. God's parental tenderness can also be expressed in the image of motherhood. At the same time, God transcends the human distinction between sexes. God is neither father nor mother: God is God. God, however, is the standard for both fathers and mothers: No one is father and mother as God is Father and Mother. (Catechism of the Catholic Church #239) The exhortation to seek Holy Wisdom is epitomized in the Gospel Parable of the Ten Virgins. This story is intended to encourage believers to continue to stand firm in the practice of our faith even as we suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune in the present. Jesus is calling us to stand fast until he comes again, to be ready and watchful, in a word to be wise. The faithfulness of the wise virgins is shown by their preparedness and of having sufficient oil to last until the bridegroom arrives. The bridegroom, of course, is Christ, and the Bride is the Church. The wedding feast is the heavenly banquet at the end of time in the Kingdom of God. The oil is a symbol of all the good works, such as mercy and justice and faithfulness expected of believers. Do we feel the exhortation of Jesus given by this parable – to be faithful and wise "virgins" who await the bridegroom? There is always the temptation to put off today what we can do tomorrow. One may say to oneself, "I am too busy right now to make time for the works of justice, mercy, and forgiveness." "I can spend more time serving the poor, the stranger, the marginalized when I retire." "I go to church on Sunday, and I don't curse, or steal, or commit adultery…" Perhaps this is the mindset that is represented by the foolish virgins in the parable – who knows? If this causes us discomfort then the purpose of the parable has been fulfilled. Parables are meant to challenge our thinking and be the impetus to reflect on our lives and how we can answer the call by Holy Mother Wisdom. She awaits us on the way and at our gate with a graceful touch and a healing presence. ! Page !2 of !2.